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one of the most versatile herbs... In the Garden | Culinary | Fragrance | Medicinal use Popular garden varieties
Calendula |
Top In the GardenGrowth Characteristics: - Winter Annual, Frost hardy,
- Height: ±60cm; Spread: ±40 cm,
Cultivation: - Full sun; Well drained, composted soil,
Harvesting: - Pick fresh flowers from Autumn (Apr) to late Spring (Nov),
Companion Planting: - Vegetables: Plant with Tomatoes,
- Attracting Beneficial insects: Attracts butterflies,
Top Culinary use- Use Calendula flower petals with:
- Powder dried petals in a grinder, Gives a saffron colour and a light tangy flavour, Garnish,
- Dried petals add flavor and colour to dried herb mixes,
- Rice,
- Fish,
- Butter, Cakes, Milk dishes, Omelettes, Soups, Soft cheese, Stews, Sweet breads, Yoghurt,
- Sprinkle fresh flowers in Salads,
Top Fragrance- Use dried petals to add colour to potpourri,
- Boil flowers for a pale yellow dye,
- Add petals to creams and baths for cleansing, healing and softening the skin,
- Use in Herbal Bath Smoothies,
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Medicinal useCalendula may be beneficial in the following cases: | General | - Alterative / depurative: Assists the elimination of metabolic wastes in the body,
- Tonic, detoxifying effect on all systems of the body,
- Antispasmodic: Relieves muscle spasms,
- Otitis media: Infused oil help decrease inflammation,
- Soothes toothache,
- Conjunctivitis: Bath the eye 3 times daily with a decoction, or use a cold compress on the closed eyes,
- Mouthwash and gargle for infection, sore throat,
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| Nervous System | - Analgesic: Pain-relieving,
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| Endocrine System | - Hormone regulator: Estrogenic action probably due to sterol and saponin content,
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| Skin | - Astringent: Causes cells to shrink, helping to reduce bleeding (styptic), promote blood clotting, and to harden and protect the skin,
- Topical antiseptic and wound healing herb,
- Anti-inflammatory, Bruises,
- Acne, Shingles, Chickenpox, Impetigo, Measles, Mumps, Dermatitis, Eczema, Cold sores, Warts, Other systemic fungal, bacterial, and viral conditions,
- First degree burns, like sunburn,
- Helps to soothe bee, wasp, and insect stings,
- Babies: diaper rash or an inflamed navel or penis, Cradle cap,
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| Lymphatic System | - Enlarged and Inflamed lymphatic glands,
- Bactericide,
- Febrifuge, reduce or prevents a fever,
- Internally it is also antiseptic, making it useful to boost the immune system when an infection is present,
- Assist detoxification,
- Bactericide, able to destroy bacteria,
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| Respiratory System | - Pneumonia,
- Help the lungs recover after a person quit smoking,
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| Cardiovascular System | - Varicose veins,
- Improves circulation,
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| Liver | - Cholagogue: Increases the secretion of bile and its expulsion from the gallbladder,
- Gall bladder inflammation, Jaundice,
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| Digestive system | - Can help to reduce bowel looseness if this is seen as harmful - Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial and astringent,
- Haemorrhoids - applied topically for astringent action.
- Anthelmintic: Acting against parasitic worms,
- Aperient: Mild laxative,
- Carminative, calming effect on the stomach,
- Stomachic: Assists the function of the stomach,
- Peptic ulcers, Candida, Gastritis: counteracting bacterial, fungal and viral inflammatory conditions,
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| Urinary System | |
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| Reproductive System | - Sexually transmitted diseases: Syphilis, Thrush (Candida), Trichomoniasis,Emmenagogue, Period pain,
- Hormone regulator: Estrogenic action probably due to sterol and saponin content,
- After birth symptoms like fever, Mastitis, Healing of episiotomies, Relieving sore nipples in nursing mothers,
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Preparation and dosage: TINCTURE: - Everyday use: 5 ml diluted in about 25 ml water, 2-3 times a day.
INFUSED OIL: - External use:
- Apply liberally and as often as necessary until the symptoms ease.
- Few drops in ear, 3 times per day, for ear infection.
TEA: - Per cup (250ml) hot water: 1 teaspoon dried petals; or the petals of 2-3 fresh flowers,
- 2 - 3 cups per day,
CONTRAINDICATION: - During PREGNANCY: It is best to confirm with a herbalist, as it can stimulate uterine contractions,
- GLAUCOMA: May increase pressure within the eye.
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Medicinal herbs
